Clay-colored Sparrows have been been reported here the last few years—they use the grasslands along the river dike. American Kestrel and Great Horned Owl nest in the area. American Dipper is a regular in Ball and Trout Creeks near bridges. Longbilled Curlew in the fields May/June.

In 2002, The Nature Conservancy began a 500-acre restoration project on Ball Creek Farm Preserve, a 2300-acre nature preserve located 12 miles north of Bonners Ferry.

The wetland project aimed to restore habitat that had been missing from the Kootenai River Valley for decades, part of an effort to provide more habitat for ducks, geese and other wildlife throughout this special area.

DIRECTIONS: On US 95, N of Bonners Ferry, L (W) onto Riverside Ave- this rd is just S of the bridge over Kootenai River; go ~7 mi to West Side Rd; R (N) on West Side Rd for ~6 mi to Ball Creek Ranch house on L; guest parking and public access is beyond the house on the L.

500 acres of public access are located in the NW section of the property. This northwest corner is flooded during the spring and attracts waterfowl including Tundra Swan and three species of teal.